Emma Schlie Photography, LLC


California is Calling

"I hopped off the plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan" - Miley Cyrus

Actually, I hopped off the plane in Santa Barbara but I did bring my cardigan! My dream is pretty straightforward: travel more for photography. Instead of waiting and wishing for the dream inquiry to enter my inbox, I decided to make the adventure happen for myself. My photographer friend and I purchased tickets to a Santa Barbara wedding content day put on by Come Gather Co. To make the most out of our trip, we also scheduled an elopement at the Santa Barbara court house and a beach couples session in Cambria. This was my first time in California and the furthest west I've ever traveled. The variety of California's landscapes left me awestruck and dancing behind my camera. "Toto, I don't think we are in the Midwest anymore!" I have so much content from this amazing trip that I am just so giddy to share with y'all. Now that I have a taste for destination photography, I am pretty sure I am addicted. Here's to fulfilling dreams and making them a reality!


 

Three women in wedding attire pose with parasols on a grassy hillside during a sunny outdoor photoshoot in California
Wooden chairs decorated with pink and peach floral arrangements on an outdoor patio with garden views in California

come gather content day


Content days are great opportunities for photographers to network with other vendors, add a variety to their portfolio, and simply be creative. Sometimes on wedding days there is not a lot of time to be creative and most people, including myself, stick to what they know in pressure situations. Content days allow you to freely explore with your camera without fear of disappointing a client. What's also cool is that you are creating with other photographers. We can bounce ideas off each other and grow together. It is a wonderful mental and artistic refreshment.


At the beautiful Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm, we began with details and getting ready images in the greenhouse. Next, we headed to a breathtaking ceremony site overlooking California's cliffside and the Pacific Ocean. The scene was perfected with sunshine, parasols, and a colorful bridal party. The models did such an amazing job being playful, spontaneous, and just enjoying the experience! After refueling with some pizza, we captured golden hour portraits, and a stunning reception set up complete with a champagne tower, cake cutting, head table toasts, and dancing! Overall, it was such a fun experience and by itself worth the trip! Thank you Come Gather Co. for hosting such a great event!

VENDORS:

Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm.    

Come Gather Co.

Uncommon Blooms

Lindsay Marie Makeup

La Forett Bake House

Wild and Sage Co

Found Rental Co

Faye Gown Rentals

Santa barbara court house


Recognize this court house? Ya, Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker renewed their vows here! We met up with Sandra and John early before the court house opened to shoot some magical elopement photos. This picturesque space is a beacon for photographers. The greenery and architecture are gorgeous at every angle. With jewelry and florals from local Santa Barbara vendors, our elopement shoot was perfect!



A couple in a white dress and beige suit poses intimately together among tropical foliage during their wedding photoshoot in Santa Barbara
Bride and Groom ascend the Santa Barbara County Courthouse steps

VENDORS:

Foriver Florals

Perlina Designs

Hand Lettered by Amanda

Two people in white outfits stand at a coastal overlook enjoying views of a California beach town and rocky shoreline.
Couple walking hand in hand through shallow ocean waves on a misty beach in California

moonstone beach


It would be insane to travel to California and not go to a beach. After a scenic three hour drive north, we found ourselves at Moonstone Beach in Cambria! Stephanie and Francisco are previous clients of my photographer friend and just moved to California! Salt air all around us and with the Pacific's waves for a soundtrack, this evening was so much fun. The water was freezing but you just couldn't help splashing around.  It was the perfect way to close out our California adventure.

Romantic couple pose together along scenic coastal cliffside with tall grass and ocean views at sunset in California
A scenic garden terrace with white floral arrangements and outdoor seating overlooking a lush mountain landscape
White floral shoes next to beige ribbons adorn a stone surface against a backdrop of green foliage.
A group of people run joyfully up a grassy hillside together in a playful sequence in California
Wedding couple shares intimate moments on a lush garden lawn beside a Spanish colonial style building with palm trees in California
A couple poses in an elegant Spanish colonial hallway with arches and terra cotta floors for their wedding portrait in Santa Barbara
Wedding celebration showing hands resting on a cream-colored formal outfit with delicate floral decorations.
A group enjoys a scenic coastal view overlooking rocky cliffs and ocean waves on a sunny day in Mendocino, California.
A sequence of images shows people joyfully running and jumping through ocean waves breaking on a sandy beach in Cambria, California
A couple walks through coastal grasses on a cliff overlooking a misty ocean shore during golden hour in California